The Library Blog

Edinburgh Napier University Library blog. Filled with useful and fun blog articles on using the Library, the University, Edinburgh and many other fun topics.

Author: mayagreen (Page 2 of 26)

Trimester Two

Merchiston Tower

18/04/2026 / / 0 Comments

Merchiston Tower

In the centre of Merchiston Tower, you will find Merchiston Tower.

It’s a bang in the middle.

Have you ever wondered what’s inside? What’s its history? Want to peek inside?

Let us take you on a brief digital walk through the Tower in the blog post. But before we go any further, we would like to add that you can tour the Tower in person and see its 500 years of history in person for free. Email us at heritage@napier.ac.uk or library@napier.ac.uk. Please bear in mind that we need at least 24 hours’ notice. Group tours are available, but no more than 15 people can attend.

*update*

Tours are available for Friday mornings. If you are interested in a tour but this is not a suitable date, please contact us, and we can rearrange.

History of Merchiston Tower

Merchiston Tower has stood firm for over 500 years. Built in the middle of the 1400s, either by Andrew Napier or his son, Sir Alexander Napier, both of whom served as Provost of Edinburgh and both of whom moved in royal circles.

John Napier (Alexander’s grandson) was born in the Tower in 1550. Specifically, the University is named after John Napier. His inventions and contributions to Mathematics are longstanding, with his most known invention being logarithms. There is a lot of “myth, mystery, and intrigue” (John Napier napier.ac.uk) about the man, and you can read about him in a previous blog post on Edinburgh Napier University’s webpages.

The Tower remained in the Napier family until the beginning of the 1800s. It was then owned by the Merchiston Castle School, followed by the Edinburgh Council. For a while, it was also a storage space for fire hoses during the Second World War. By the 1950s, the Tower was set for demolition. It was in ruins. However, in 1958, a new technical college was coming to Edinburgh. A college that needed a campus. Napier College was formed around the Tower, saved from demolition and beginning a work of restoration. These restorations would uncover ceilings and stairwells that had been hidden for a century.

The hallway ceiling of the Tower now proudly displays the University’s crest and showcases the Tower’s timeline, a nod to the Napier family, Merchiston Castle School, and the Edinburgh Council.

Napier Crest

Inside the Tower

Can’t wait to have a look? Let’s go on a digital walkthrough. And while we have lovely pictures, nothing compares to seeing it in person.

The original great hall stands to the left as you enter. In this hall, you will find a stunning, decorative ceiling that was commemorated during the reign of Charles II, the decorations showcasing the Napier family’s loyalty to the crown. The massive fireplace is thought to be original to the Tower. The north and south windows are original, while the east window dates from the 17th century. During the restoration in the 1950s, a staircase in the thick walls was found.

The once hidden staircase leads to the Boardroom that now stretches across the third and fourth floors. The fourth floor would have been a loft area, home to servants, but it has now been opened up to make the room fell bigger and to properly showcase.

The magnificent Prestongrange Ceiling it dates from 1581. A rare example of a Scottish Renaissance painted ceiling, it was moved from Prestongrange House to Merchiston Tower in 1964 for preservation purposes. The ceiling is filled with art, featuring many motifs from folk plays. Truly Unique!

 

 

 

Prestongrange ceiling

 

Merchiston Tower and John Napier

In 1550, John Napier was born in the tower house. Over 400 years later, the Tower was saved from demolition and restoration work began for a new college to be named after John Napier. Now, it stands proud in the middle of our biggest campus, home to two of our schools: School of Arts and Creative Industries and School of Computing, Engineering & Built Environment.

 

Doors Open Day

On the 28th of September, we opened up the Tower to the public to celebrate Doors Open Day. In our second year running, we were delighted to welcome over 180 visitors.

 

 

If you are interested in visiting Merchiston Tower in person, please get in touch by emailing heritage@napier.ac.uk or library@napier.ac.uk. Tours are available on Friday mornings, but date and time can be rearranged if requested. And are available for individuals or groups of up to 15.

Please note that, due to the steep and uneven medieval staircases, the Tower is not wheelchair accessible.

For more information about the University’s Heritage Collections, have a look at our website.

Read more about the Heritage Collections

 

References

 

Merchiston Tower Edinburgh

The Napier Estate Past and Present

wellbeing area support craiglockhart library

Library Exam Support 2026 – Wellbeing

16/04/2026 / / 0 Comments

Library Exam Support 2026 – Wellbeing

For our final instalment of Library and Exam Support 2026, we wanted to focus on something that is just as important as studying during this time, your wellbeing.

Exams and deadlines tend to bring pressure and stress.

While it’s important to stay focused, taking care of yourself is equally important.

Library Wellbeing Collection

Here in the Library, we believe that looking after your physical and emotional health is just as important as your studies. We are committed to supporting positive mental health and wellbeing, and believe that the key to wellbeing is the care and balance of different aspects of our lives.

With this holistic view of health in mind, we have curated a collection of books and other resources to support the different areas of your wellbeing. We’ve gathered together these resources in the hope that they help you feel happy, healthy and comfortable at Edinburgh Napier.

Our wellbeing collection includes both physical and ebooks that you can access anytime.

You will find a collection at each campus library, making it easy to browse while you are studying or just taking a break. And if you are not on campus, it can be accessed on the mynapier webpages.

This collection is here to support you during university life. Feel free to explore when you need.

 

And if you have any recommendations that you think might benefit others, please email library@napier.ac.uk

Library and relaxation spaces

We also have our relaxation spaces.

These are small, colourful areas we’ve designed for you to sit back and enjoy the benefits of natural light and soft seating.

Each of our three campus libraries has its own dedicated space. Ask the helpdesk for directions. In these spaces, we’ve provided puzzles, jigsaws, craft materials and colouring books and pens to help you feel relaxed and explore your creativity. Maybe you just pull up a beanbag and let your mind wander. want to sit and do nothing for a while. That’s fine too. You’ll feel all the better for a break and ready to tackle your next assignment.

If you prefer studying at home, you can access our relaxation spaces virtually through the blog. We’ve got you covered.

 

Don’t Stress!

Please do not panic or become overly stressed about your exams. A small amount of stress can be good for us but not when we are overwhelmed by it.

There are several services available to support you if you feel you need help.

Find out more about our support services here: Counselling & Mental Wellbeing

 

Good luck with everything, we are all rooting for you!

exam support

Library Exam Support 2026 – Exams

14/04/2026 / / 0 Comments

Library Exam Support 2026 – Exams

We are at the second part of the Library Exam Support series, the jam of blog sandwich. So we thought, why not make it about the exams themselves? We will be looking how the library can help you tackle the exams themselves.

Exam Skills

In a previous post, we covered some exam skills.

Set aside time for studying. Create a revision timetable where you can have specific blocks of time to focus on particular topics. Set goals for what you want to achieve during each study session. Prioritising your studies will ensure that you get the most out of each session.

Do not make your study sessions too long. It is better to study for short periods. For example, three one-hour sessions with breaks in between will be more productive than one long three-hour study session.

Use flashcards to remember key information, phrases or concepts on a subject and use these to test your knowledge. This helps you to not only retain the information but to be able to retrieve it quickly.

Regular revision will help you build and retain knowledge. It will also help to keep you focused and avoid panicking.

Exam Stress

We have a previous blog post by Raquel Bryne on beating exam stress.  Detailing a good plan below from the article:

1. Timetable and prepare a study plan.

2. Create a study space that is comfortable, quiet, well-lit, organised, and has no distractions nearby.

3. Put your information into a format that allows you to absorb it best.

4. Take regular study breaks. Alternating subjects you’re studying will also help.

5. Remember self-care!

6. Schedule fun activities to reduce your stress.

7. Eat nutritious foods and exercise regularly to keep your brain power and energy up!

8. Make sure you have all the items you need for any exams. Get them ready the day before to avoid rushing on the day.

9. Remove anything distracting to help you focus. Try putting your phone in a different room when revising.

10. Write down revision targets for the day, review your progress, and update your revision timetable and targets appropriately.

Training and Events Calendar = Drop-in Support sessions

We offer a wide range of exam support resources to help you feel prepared and confident.

A great place to start is our Training and Events Calendar, where you’ll find everything from introductory sessions to more advanced research support. You can also book one-to-one appointments with subject librarians and academic skills advisors, giving you personalised support throughout your studies.

Sessions run both online and in person, so be sure to check the details before booking. And if the scheduled times don’t work for you, you can always get in touch with your subject librarian directly.

Not sure who your subject librarian is? You can find their details on the myNapier pages.

 

More information about exams at Napier, from guidance to timetabling

Good luck with the upcoming exams

Craiglockhart campus

Library Exam Support 2026

13/04/2026 / / 0 Comments

Library Exam Support 2026

We say this every year, that honestly, we need a better introduction, but hey, it’s always true.

The days are getting longer, the skies a little bit brighter, and the hint that Summer is on its way is in the air. But alongside the seasonal shift comes a familiar reality: exams and final assignments are just around the corner.

Over the years, we’ve built up a catalogue of exam support posts to help you through this busy period. But for 2026, we thought it was time to bring them together. This is the first of three posts to help you during the exam period. Today, we will be going over study skills, but soon we will cover exam support and wellbeing, so stay tuned.

Study Skills and the Library

Our library is your partner in academic success. From building new study skills to strengthening existing ones, we offer a wealth of resources designed to support your journey. Whether you’re looking to master time management, improve your research techniques, or just need a quiet place to focus, we’ve got you covered.
You’ll find these collections across all three campus libraries, covering a wide range of subjects. Dive into key titles on literature searching, research methods, and academic writing. Whether you’re starting your postgraduate thesis or embarking on your very first literature review, our physical and digital resources are here to guide you every step of the way.
All resources are available through LibrarySearch, where you can easily find and request what you need—perhaps even discovering a few titles you didn’t realise would be helpful.
Books can be borrowed using our self-service kiosks and will automatically renew for up to four months, unless requested by another user. If a recall is placed, you’ll receive an email notification and have seven days to return the item.

Study Skills and LibGuides

Then we our Libguides to help you build confidence with your academic and study skills. They are packed with practical advice, tips and tools to help you develop as a researcher as well as strengthen core study skills.

Each school also has its own dedicated page which have been created by our subject librarians with links to relevant databases nd the key resources. Databases include CINAHL, British Standards Online, EBSCO, and many more.

The guide covers core skills you’ll use throughout your time at university, such as literature reviewing, critical thinking, and referencing. There’s also support for using reference management tools like EndNote and Mendeley, helping you stay organised as your reading list grows.

If you’ve explored the LibGuide and feel you’d benefit from a bit of extra support, you can get in touch with us at library@napier.ac.uk. We’ll connect you with one of our subject librarians—often someone who specialises in your area of study—who can offer one-to-one support, either in person or via Microsoft Teams.

You can also check LibCal for upcoming workshops and tutorials, covering everything from literature searching and referencing to making the most of library resources for your research.

Library Space and study skills

Enviroments and spaces have a huge influence on productiveity. Each library offers study rooms and study pods for collobraotion. We have social zones if you need to a little bit of noise to help you focus but if you need complate slience then we have silent areas too. You can find our opening hours on our webpages. 
Academic Skills and the Library

You can find a wide range of books regarding Academic Skills through Library Search.  These will be available both online and in physical books.

As well as the academic skills team, you can contact your subject librarian, someone who specialises in your subject area. They can help you navigate databases, references and finding resources. Additionally, they have crafted lib guides that are tailored to your courses, as well as helping build research skills. Appointments with subject librarians are available through the library training and events calendar, or you can email them as well. Our training and events calendar also offers sessions dedicated to referencing management and how to use the journal collection.

Good Luck!

Tartan

Tartan Day

06/04/2026 / / 0 Comments

Tartan Day

 

On the 6th of April every year, Tartan Day celebrates and acknowledges Scottish heritage, cultural contributions and diaspora throughout the globe. Despite Tartan Day being primarily centred around celebrating and promoting Scottish history and culture, it was actually first acknowledged in Canada in the year 1987 from which it evolved into an event which is celebrated worldwide. This is because Tartan Day also raises recognition of the world’s connections to Scotland and the many great things this country has to offer.

 

A Little Bit of History…

 

Although Tartan Day was first recognised during the late 1980s, it primarily goes all the way back to the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in the year 1320 when Scotland gained independence from England in line with the demands of Pope John XXII, and it became feasible for them to take military action if under attack. This took place on the 6th of April that year – purposely coinciding with the day in which Tartan Day is celebrated annually.

A few centuries later after the Declaration of Arbroath, in the year 1746, an attempt to re-integrate the people of Scotland and England and abolish Jacobite clanship was made through the release of the Act of Proscription. This included outlawing revolts and protests amongst Scottish people and communities, as well as heavily restricting any displays of cultural through The Dress Act as an example, which made it against the law for individuals (albeit soldiers) to wear any clothes with tartan or plaid.

 

Shortly after this, a significant Scottish diaspora occurred throughout the 18th and 19th centuries in which thousands of Scottish individuals and communities fled and migrated to countries such as Canada, the USA and Australia after the Highland clearances commences and saw a significant rise in rent prices for Scottish people. Canada has since celebrated the contributions of Scottish people who migrated over to the USA and their own nation which also influenced the proposal and proclamation of the 6th of April as Tartan Day.

 

The Witches of Scotland Tartan…

 

Tartan itself has also been used as a memorial piece honouring the victims – primarily women – of the Salem Witch Trials that took place throughout Scotland between the early fourteenth century and early sixteenth century. This campaign was established last year in 2025 to pay tribute to those who were executed during this period regarding accusations of ‘witchcraft,’ and was also launched with the aim of receiving an apology and legal pardon on their behalf.

The Witches of Scotland Tartan itself also tells a story in the colour scheme and thread count used. The colour scheme primarily consists of pinks, reds, black, grey and white, with pink and red being symbolic of blood and the brutal, tragic fate of those accused, grey and black representing this sombre period of history and the ashes of those sentenced to death, and the white check highlighting the three main objectives of this campaign: to receive a pardon, apology and ultimately act as a memorial for the victims of the Salem Witch Trials and those persecuted during this time. The 173-thread count represents the 173 years that the Witchcraft Act was in place for between 1563 and 1736. This symbolic memorial piece eventually became a part of the Scottish Register of Tartans in February 2025.

 

The tartan is designed to be worn and can be purchased through the official Witches of Scotland website and page. Their founders Claire Mitchell KC and Zoe Venditozzi also run a podcast series which I highly recommend for more information about the Witches of Scotland campaign, tartan and mission. This can be found through Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

 

How to celebrate Tartan Day…

 

There are many ways in which you can celebrate tartan day – not all of which involve wearing tartan as well:

 

  • Exploring and researching Scottish and Jacobite clan history.
  • Attending nearby parades and events such as Highland games.
  • Donning a specific item of tartan clothing or a tartan accessory.
  • Decorating parts of your home with tartan.
  • Enjoying traditional Scottish foods and fare such as shortbread and haggis.

 

Want to learn more about the history of the Scotland and the Scottish diaspora? We have a variety of relevant resources that can be found, accessed and requested via our LibrarySearch catalogue.

 

By Rachel Downie

Photo by Mykhaylo Kopyt Unsplash 

Dig deeper into celtic traditions

maths on blackboard

World Maths Day

26/03/2026 / / 0 Comments

World Maths Day

Today is World Maths Day and we want to celebrate Maths Plus
Something is energising about a day that brings the whole world together through numbers—and that’s exactly what World Maths Day is all about.
Unlike the usual image of maths as quiet, solitary work, World Maths Day flips the script. It turns numbers into a global event—fast-paced, interactive, and surprisingly social. Students from different countries log in simultaneously, solving problems, competing, and connecting in real-time. Suddenly, maths isn’t just something you do at your desk; it’s something you experience alongside millions.

So while people are competing, we wanted to give a shout-out to Maths Plus, like we needed an excuse

Maths Plus

We’re excited to shine a spotlight on Maths Plus—a fantastic support service provided by the School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment at our university. Whether you’re struggling with coursework, want to polish your numeracy skills, or just need a confidence boost with anything mathematical, Maths Plus is here to help.
Maths Plus offers support for any numeracy or mathematical challenges you may face during your studies. From brushing up on basic arithmetic and algebra to tackling advanced topics in calculus or statistics, the friendly and knowledgeable team is ready to guide you. No question is too small, and every student—regardless of experience level—is welcome to drop in for support.
You can book the online session through MyFuture
And before you go, we need to ask, why should you never argue with a decimal?
….because they always have a point…
We do like a bit of numbers over here at the library blog, have a lookhttps://blogs.napier.ac.uk/library/?s=maths
Chinese New year

Chinese New Year 2026

15/02/2026 / / 0 Comments

Chinese New Year 2026

(新年快乐)  Xīn nián kuài lè” (Shin-Nyen-Kwhy-Luh)

Happy New Year!

 

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, begins on Tuesday, 17th February 2026 and ends with a Lantern Festival on 3rd March 2026. The holiday begins on the date of the second new moon after the winter solstice each December. This year, the second new moon occurs simultaneously with both a rare “ring of fire” annular solar eclipse and the first sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon, making it one of the most important celestial and cultural days of the year. It is one of the most important holidays in the Chinese calendar and was placed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2024.

The Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse, which was last seen in 1966. The Chinese Zodiac consists of twelve animals and five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal and water – so each animal-element coupling occurs only once every 60 years. Following on from the Year of the Wood Snake, the Year of the Fire Horse begins on 17th February 2026, and will end on 5th February 2027, when the Year of the Fire Goat begins.

 

The Year of the Fire Horse

The Year of the Fire Horse is considered to be one of the most potent fusions in the Chinese Zodiac cycle, combining two very powerful symbols in the calendar.

The symbol of fire represents energy and rushfulness, and the horse symbol represents vitality, speed, passion, hard work, bravery and resilience. Joining both of these symbols gives a powerful combination of vitality, passion, speed and courage.

However, it has been said that each Chinese zodiac animal has both positive and negative traits. For the horse, negative traits include being volatile, restless, impulsive and difficult to manage.

During this Year of the Fire Horse, people are encouraged not to hesitate when making decisions and to embrace the traits of the horse. This is a year which rewards boldness, courage and dedication, and penalises indecision, hesitation or apathy.

 

Chinese New Year Celebrations.

Traditions focus on seeing out the old year and welcoming in the luck and prosperity of a new year.

Chinese New Year origins are steeped in legend. Thousands of years ago, a monster named Nian (“Year”) attacked villagers at the beginning of each new year. The monster feared loud noises, bright lights, and the colour red, so villagers used these to chase the beast away.

Red signifies prosperity and energy, which ward off evil spirits and negativity. Red lanterns are hung in the streets, and red couplets are pasted on doors. Celebrations include visiting family members, feasting, and respecting ancestors. Money is often gifted in red envelopes for good fortune. Celebrations include firecrackers, fireworks and watching lion and dragon dances. Some customs include cleaning the house and eating symbolic foods.

Many businesses close their doors for a week’s holiday during the celebrations. Hotels and large retail outlets stay open and are often busier than normal. School holidays last for four weeks and many migrant workers leave their factory and construction jobs for weeks to return home.

So, however you choose to celebrate, enjoy the Chinese New Year, and remember – fortune favours the brave – this might just be your lucky year!

 

Links

Read more about New Year Traditions in our post New Year Traditions From Around The World

Find more resources at Library Search

By Sharon McMichael

Image by Jason Leung Unsplash 

love heart for books on give a book day

Give a Book Day

14/02/2026 / / 0 Comments

Give a Book Day

 

The Edinburgh Napier University Library Team would like to not only wish everyone a very happy Valentine’s Day, but also a happy International Book Giving Day as well! Annually coinciding with Valentine’s Day on the 14th of February every year, International Book Giving Day was introduced as a worldwide initiative and movement to promote a love of reading, literature and books of all genres. And while love is in the air on this particular day of the year in general, we feel we might as well show and spread our love of reading and books (after all, we are ENUs library team!) by writing this dedicated blog post.

 

Origins, and how we participate…

 

International Book Giving Day emerged from groups of individuals with a shared love of reading and passion for books, engaging in and organising book-sharing events and activities. Since then, it has become a global initiative and primarily encourages individuals, communities and organisations to gift books to others where possible. This includes both adults and children, particularly those who may experience barriers to literary access. One of its other objectives is to try to foster a love of reading and literature in children from a young age. At present, International Book Giving Day is recognised and celebrated in approximately 44 countries worldwide.

 

When we withdraw old stock at any of our three campus libraries, we often box it up and send it to an online bookseller company named Better World Books. This company was founded in the year 2002 and sells both new and second-hand books at affordable prices. Its primary values and mission coincide with those of International Book Giving Day: to promote literacy and literary initiatives, sustainability, and encourage better access to as well as a love of, books and literature overall. Better World Books currently delivers books to over 200 countries across the globe. A lot of their stock is sourced from educational institutions, public libraries, bookshops and wholesalers. Individuals can also donate old books to Better World Books by using one of their drop boxes – locations for these can be found on their main webpage.

How you can participate too…

 

  • Give the gift of a book: Got a book that you recently finished reading and couldn’t put down? Want to share your love of that particular book? If you don’t feel too sentimental about giving it away, you can participate in International Book Giving Day by gifting the book to a friend, family member, or someone you know who you think would enjoy it as well! You can even leave a heartfelt message or dedication inside if you like.
  • Make a donation (or several): If you have been intending to clear out some of your old books, why not donate them to your local library, a community centre or school? This can help to widen the span of literature and book genres which people have access to. You can also, as mentioned above, bring them to your nearest drop-box for Better World Books.
  • Give recommendations and share them on social media: Spread the word! Promote this international day and global initiative to others and encourage them to get on board. Use relevant hashtags in any posts you make or share – also share any great recommendations you may have for any titles you have read recently and couldn’t put down!

 

By Rachel Downie

 

Photo by Jo Anaya Unsplash

Love reading, we’ve got some recommendations

Valentines Day

The world’s love story with Valentine’s Day

14/02/2026 / / 0 Comments

The world’s love story with Valentine’s Day

Today is coming up rosy, literally. Happy Valentine’s Day, readers. And while it may feel like just chocolate and flowers, there is a much deeper heart-shaped history that made Valentine’s the holiday it is today. Valentines day dates all the way back to ancient times, took on a bit of a romantic evolution in the medieval ages, with the popularisation of heart-shaped chocolates in the Victorian period. Let’s take a little stroll through the history of Valentines, the world’s love story with Valentine’s Day.

Story of Lupercalia

Going back to the ancient pagan ages for a minute. As you see, the ancient pagans in the middle of February celebrated the Lupercalia festival. Lupercalia isn’t exactly the celebration of Valentine’s Day we know today; it was a fertility festival to welcome in spring and good health. And if you want to read more, we have the perfect blog post for you. Over time, the Lupercalia festival faded, especially with the spread of Christianity across Europe. However, the middle of February kept its significance for the holiday.

And then there is, of course, the origins of Cupid. While he is based on the Ancient Greek God of Eros. Cupid took a more familiar form in Ancient Rome. Primarily evolving from a winged youth to the recognised chubby baby with wings.

Romantic Medieval Knights

With the Medieval ages, there was a bit of a romantic revolution taking place and who knew, it would be led by Medieval poets and knights. Medieval Poets based in England and France were amongst the first to give Valentines Day a set date of February 14th. The reason being, it was believed that birds would mate around this period, which became the metaphor of human love and romance.

It was during this time that Valentines took on more of a romantic turn, setting the stage for rom-coms to come.

It was during this period that the first valentines message was ever sent, dating back to 1415. Written by Charles, Duke of Orleans, for his wife. And he wrote while being imprisoned at the Tower of London, after being captured in a battle. In this letter, he refer to his wife as his “gentle Valentine”, a lot better than the cheesy cards found today.

The phrase wearing your heart on your sleeve” can possibly be traced back to medieval knights. It is believed that knights would wear tokens or ribbons given to them by their sweetheart as they went into battle.

The Medieval era had a lot of transformations and upheavel but there were tender moments.

Bringing Valentines into the Modern Age

Valentine’s Day has since become a global celebration, rivalling Christmas and Halloween. Around 250 million roses are produced for the U.S alone for this holiday. Whereas for chocolates.  Heart shaped chocolates became popularised by Cadbury in the 1860s. It is estimated that $1.8 billion is spent on chocolates in the US alone.  And it is the second favourite season to exchange cards, number one being Christmas.

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!!

Love Your Library

We have displays at all our campus Libraries asking you what you love about your Library, and what you think might need some improvements. Please don’t forget to add feedback to our love your library displays.  We love to hear from you. What do you love about the library, and what isn’t working? If you can’t make it on campus, you can always contact us

Photo by Ed Robertson Unsplash 

 

 

 

 

Safer Internet Day

Safer Internet Day

10/02/2026 / / 0 Comments

Safer Internet Day

The internet has revolutionised many elements of our lives. How we search for information, how we conduct administrative tasks, entertainment streaming, and ultimately how we communicate, connect and network with each other globally. These technologies, including social media, have a variety of benefits and advantages in all of these different aspects of our lives; nevertheless, individuals and online users need to be aware of how to utilise and use the internet in a responsible, ethical and safe manner.

Safer Internet Day was established in 2004 and evolved into a worldwide movement dedicated to raising awareness of and promoting responsible and safe use of the internet and online platforms for all demographics, particularly young people. There are many risks and dangers present within the online world: misinformation, scams, phishing, cyberbullying, revenge pornography and sextortion are just a few of the key dangers present within the internet and online world. This makes it even more significant that awareness is raised regarding how to protect yourself and stay safe online.

 

Tips on how to stay safe online…

 

  • Safeguard your personal details, information and passwords. This can mitigate the chances of you being a victim of identity fraud and other kinds of theft as well. Be wary of whom you also give out these details to. Avoid giving out passwords, especially to someone you do not know well, and try to change them regularly as well.
  • Be mindful about what you post and share online. Once something is posted, whether it is a comment, picture or video, it will be very difficult (if not impossible) to take it back or remove it. Those who see the post may also be able to screenshot, download or share it, which will be completely out of your control.
  • Make sure to keep your device updated with the newest firewall and anti-virus software. Protect your phone, tablet, or laptop from new cyber and online threats by installing and downloading all updates when prompted. This will help to significantly enhance your device security.
  • Be wary of scams, online fraud and fake websites. Always be sceptical of any deals or offers which seem ‘too good to be true’, such as free money or significant investment returns. Look out for grammatical errors in URLs or in the message they may have been forwarded in. Watch out for any messages that also prompt you to take urgent action. If you are unsure about an email, text or phone call you have received claiming to be your bank, HMRC or the police, etc., get in touch with them directly to check legitimacy. Official companies and organisations do not ask for any passwords, PIN numbers, personal details or financial information via text or email.
  • Learn how to identify suspicious emails and phishing scams. Always check the original email address of the sender by clicking on the drop-down arrow under their name, especially if you are unsure of their legitimacy. Look out for misspellings and do not click on any suspicious links or scan any QR codes if the message seems suspicious.

 

Interested in learning more about cybersecurity?…

 

Edinburgh Napier University runs a BEng (Hons) four-year course in Cybersecurity and Forensics. If this happens to be a field of study or work that interests you, we have some recommendations from the ENU library team which can be found, accessed and requested via LibrarySearch.

 

  • Cyber Security Essentials, Graham, James (James J.), editor.; Howard, Richard, 1959- editor.; Olson, Ryan, 1981- editor. 2017. Available at Merchiston Campus Library and Online.
  • GDPR and Cyber Security for Business Information Systems, Gobeo, Antoni, author.; Fowler, Connor, author.; Buchanan, William, author. 2018. Available at Merchiston Campus Library and Online.
  • Cyber Security: Law and Guidance, Tse, Helen, 1977- author, editor., 2018. Available at Merchiston Campus Library.

 

By Rachel Downie

 

Thinking about studying with our School of Computing, read more here 

 

 

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Contact Us

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